Three things we learned

Breaking point

The injury issue has grown into a major problem and the story of MSU’s season, the likes of which coach Mark Dantonio and his staff have not dealt with in more than a decade at MSU. WR Felton Davis III (torn left Achilles) joins P Jake Hartbarger (right leg) in suffering a season-ending injury. QB Brian Lewerke played through a right throwing shoulder injury and RB LJ Scott returned after a 4½-game absence with an ankle injury, but neither was effective. In the second half, C Matt Allen suffered a leg injury and left the game. He is now the fifth starting offensive lineman to be banged up this season – the Spartans returned LG Kevin Jarvis but played again without RG David Beedle (left arm). LT Cole Chewins and T/G Luke Campbell both have missed time with injuries as well. The Spartans also were without WRs Cody White (broken hand), Laress Nelson (leg) and C.J. Hayes (undisclosed). Jalen Nailor returned but played sparingly. CB Josiah Scott continues to sit out after knee surgery during preseason camp, and his replacement Josh Butler (undisclosed) did not play again.

Offensive regression

Saturday’s performance, with Lewerke nursing an ailing right throwing shoulder, will go down as one of the worst in modern MSU history. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 94 yards were the fewest by the Spartans since they gained 56 against the Wolverines in 1947. The 15 rushing yards were the second-fewest by a Dantonio team at MSU, ahead of only the minus-48 school record from the Capital One Bowl loss to Alabama after the 2010 season. MSU also went 0-for-12 on third-down conversion attempts Saturday against the Wolverines. The Spartans’ 18 minutes, 57 seconds of possession time is by far their lowest under Dantonio, and their 51 plays were the fewest since running the same amount against Minnesota in 2013, a 14-3 win. The Spartans ran 47 plyas against FAU in 2010.

Not infallible

The Spartans’ vaunted run defense gave up its second straight 100-plus-yard rusher as Michigan’s Karan Higdon got 144 yards on 33 carries. That was anchored by a 38-yard run, the third run of 30-plus yards MSU has allowed the past two weeks. The Wolverines finished with 183 rushing yards against MSU, which entered as the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense at 62.3 yards allowed per game. The Spartans are now allowing 79.6 per game after Saturday.

Know the foe: Purdue

After losing three straight to open the season, including a loss against Eastern Michigan, the Boilermakers have turned their season around by winning four straight to play themselves into the Big Ten West Division race. Saturday’s 49-20 blowout upset of No. 2 Ohio State shook up the East Division standings and showed Purdue’s offense, under the direction of QB David Blough, is as explosive as any in the league and perhaps the nation. The Boilermakers average 514.3 yards of total offense per game, second only to Ohio State in the Big Ten. That’s exactly what the Buckeyes learned Saturday, as Blough threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns and Purdue totaled 539 yards of offense in dismantling Urban Meyer’s previously No. 2-ranked team, 49-20. Defensively, the Boilermakers still give up 433.1 yards per game – that is after allowing Haskins to throw for 470 yards while holding the Buckeyes to just 76 rushing yards.

Three things to watch

Lewerke watch

There will be no bigger injury to keep an eye on this week than Brian Lewerke, who admitted after Saturday’s loss to Michigan that he injured his shoulder at Penn State and did not practice much of last week. His 5 of 25 passing performance also was the worst completion percentage by a Big Ten quarterback with at least 20 attempts in the past 20 years, according to ESPN. If he cannot play, MSU would have to turn to redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi, who has struggled in his two drives this season, or true freshman Theo Day. However, the Spartans also used RBs La’Darius Jefferson and Connor Heyward in wildcat formation at QB against U-M and could get creative with one or both of them.

Stopping the pass

The Spartans gave up two passing TDs against the Wolverines, and Purdue loves to throw the ball. Blough averages 296.1 yards passing per game, second only to Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins. Blough has completed 153 of 230 passes for 2,073 yards, and he only has thrown two interceptions against his 13 touchdowns. Exciting wide receiver Rondale Moore could be a runaway winner of Big Ten Freshman of the Year, quickly becoming Blough’s top target with 12.8 catches and 104 yards per game. Moore has seven TDs among his 57 catches for 728 yards.

Energy and effort

There won’t be a chance for a national title. There almost certainly will not be a Big Ten championship. That leaves the Spartans where they were last year, but only a month earlier – fighting for relevance and a good bowl berth. However, with the glut injuries affecting the top of the depth chart, it may be critical for Mark Dantonio and his staff to play some of the true freshmen to offset the losses. In the final five games, MSU needs at least two more wins to qualify for the postseason. The Spartans cannot afford to fall into a mental tailspin after the rivalry loss, especially with Purdue and Ohio State up next.